Chapter 21
Katya
I set the pen down on the desk and took a deep breath. My last final was complete. Summer vacation would start as soon as I walked out the door of the classroom.
Yet instead of freedom, doom pressed on all sides.
It had been a full week since I drank Tap’s potion. I’d run into my relatives a couple times over the week, but not once did they recognize me. I wasn’t sure who they thought I was, but it clearly wasn’t me.
That was about to change, and I wasn’t sure when. Would the potion last exactly one week? Down to the hour? Or in general, like it might fade, making me safe for another day?
At least now I had time to worry about it. It would be another three months before I needed to think about studying again. With any luck, by then all these troubles would be long forgotten.
Or would I be a slave wife to a dictator-like husband who wouldn’t give me enough freedom to attempt an escape?
I shook my head. No, I couldn’t let myself think like that. That wouldn’t happen. It wasn’t even in the realm of possibility.
Except it was.
“Time’s up.” The professor’s voice broke through my thoughts. “Turn in your papers and have a nice summer.”
Nice summer. Right.
I stuffed my pen into my bag and took my exam to the front desk along with everyone else, who were just as eager to get out the door.
As soon as I made it to the hallway, Carter smiled at me. I relaxed just seeing him. He’d been my constant companion all week, never leaving my side. Each night, I slept snuggled against him, and we really only parted to use the bathroom or get dressed.
He pulled a bouquet of colorful tulips from behind his back. “Congratulations! You made it through finals.”
I ignored the flowers and kissed him deeply, releasing all my pent-up emotions into his minty-sweet mouth.
Someone whistled behind us. Another person shouted for us to get a room.
Carter grinned and handed me the bouquet. “They’re just jealous that I get to kiss the most beautiful woman on campus.”
I leaned my forehead against his and gazed into his eyes. “Or maybe they envy me for kissing you.”
He laced his fingers through mine. “I don’t see why they would.”
“We’ll just have to agree to disagree.”
“I guess so.”
“You two are so cute, I can’t stand it.”
I turned from Carter to see Paige standing next to us.
Her mouth dropped. “Flowers? She’s right. You are perfect.”
“Told you so.” I played with Carter’s hair. “So, are you going home for the summer?”
Paige shook her head. “I’m taking a summer class and am going to keep working at my internship.”
“We’ll have to hang out.”
“For sure! We can do a double-date soon. You still haven’t met Pax yet.”
“No, I haven’t.” I made sure to use an accusatory tone.
She laughed. “Call me. I have to get to my Physics final.”
“Ugh. Good luck.”
“I’m gonna need it!”
We waved, then headed outside where the sun’s rays beat down on us. It was almost enough to make me forget about my problems. Almost.
“When will the potion stop protecting me?”
He put a fingertip to my mouth. “You can’t just say things like that with all these people around.”
“Nobody’s paying attention. Everyone’s thinking about exams or summer break.”
“Still.” He pressed his lips against mine. “We have to be careful.”
“Okay, okay. But seriously, when will it stop?”
“Not until tonight.”
“Then what?”
“We find another way to keep you safe.”
I stepped back. “You don’t know what, though? What about that witch, or Tap or—?”
He pulled me close and whispered in my ear, tickling it. “We can’t talk about witches in front of mere mortals, either. Stop worrying for now, and come see what I’ve been planning.”
“What?” I stepped back and stared at him.
His eyes shone with excitement. “Promise to stop worrying?”
“Do you promise I’ll be safe?”
“Yes.” He spoke with such confidence that I had to believe him.
“Okay. What did you plan?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.” He took my hand and led me across campus to his Ferrari. Even though I’d ridden in it a handful of times, I still couldn’t get used to seeing it.
Carter held the passenger door open for me and gave a slight bow. “M’lady.”
I climbed inside and drew in a deep breath, taking in the strong leather scent.
“Where are we going?” I asked after he started the engine.
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
“When I told Paige that you’re perfect, what I really meant was annoying.”
He chuckled. “Whatever you have to tell yourself. I’m still not telling you where we’re going until we get there.”
“Like I said, annoying.”
“I’ll take that.”
Before long, he pulled onto the dirt road heading for his home—not that he’d stayed there a single night since I’d met him.
“You’re taking me to the mansion?”
He shook his head. “It’s merely a parking lot as far as my plans are concerned.”
“We’re going into the woods?”
“You’re the most curious person I’ve ever met, you know that?”
“I’ll take that,” I teased, using the same expression he had when I’d called him annoying. “Are we going to shift again?”
We’d shifted a couple times during the week when my anxiety over the final exams got to me. Each time was more exhilarating than the last.
“Nope.”
“What, then?”
He shook his head, parked, then helped me out.
“Going for a hike? I’m not really dressed for that.” I glanced down at my sundress and heeled sandals.
“You’re fine. We’re not going too far into the woods.”
“Ha! So we are going into the woods.”
Carter snickered. “You got me. Yes, we are, but that’s all you’re getting out of me.”
He wrapped his arm around me, and we strolled into the woods, following a well-traveled path. I continued questioning him, but he kept his lips sealed.
Then he led me down a sloping, ivy-covered path to a pond that shone in the sunlight. Several rainbows reflected from it, and a unicorn lapped up water from the other side. A unicorn.
My mouth dropped open. “Unicorns are real?”
“That surprises you?” He cupped my chin and kissed me lightly. “Look over here.”
I followed his gaze to an elaborate picnic setup on top of a large purple and green blanket. A bottle of champagne leaned against the fancy basket. “You set this up?”
“I did, and I even had Emery watch it to make sure the unicorn stayed away from the food.”
“Where is he?” I glanced around, not seeing the red-haired werewolf.
“I told him to take off as soon as we showed up.” Carter stepped closer, pressing himself against me. He wrapped his arm around me and kissed me, our tongues dancing and exploring.
My pulse raced through my body, and I returned the kiss with equal passion. Birds sang nearby, almost in tune with our expression of love.
I froze. Was what we had actually love?
Carter ran his fingertips along my jawline. “Is this okay?”
“It’s better than okay.” I took possession of his mouth again and raked my fingers through his hair.
The word love rolled around in my mind, soaring higher and making me feel like Carter and I were floating in the air. I really did love him. Though we’d only known each other for less than four weeks, we’d hardly been apart. We were much closer than a normal couple of only a month.
Carter pulled back and stared at me, gasping for air. “Maybe we should see what’s in the picnic basket.”
I struggled to find my voice. “You don’t know what’s inside?”
He kissed my nose, and led me over to the blanket. “I do, but you don’t.”
We sat, and he opened the basket. Carter pulled out plates, champagne flutes, and an array of foods. The aromas made my mouth water.
“Laura made everything, so I know it’s going to be delicious.” He dished up lasagna, creamy vegetables, fruit kabobs, and chocolate chip cookies. Everything except the fruit released steam when he opened the containers. “I hope you’re hungry.”
I stared into his eyes. “Oh, I definitely am.”
We leaned against each other and watched the water and the unicorn while we ate. It was like a dream, and I never wanted to wake up.
After we finished eating, Carter popped the champagne and filled the flutes. He held up his. “To us.”
I tapped my flute against his. “To love.”
His eyes widened.
So did mine. I hadn’t meant to say love. I’d meant to say us. But ‘love’ had come out instead. And now he was staring at me with that shocked expression.
“Love?”
If I could’ve found my voice, I’d have said any number of things. Instead, I said nothing.
“Love?” His voice was softer this time.
I nodded and opened myself up to the probable rejection. “I love you, Carter. I know it may seem crazy after only a few weeks, but—”
He pressed his lips on mine and kissed me with such passion it sent both heat and a shiver through me. Then he gazed into my eyes. “I’ve loved you since the moment I laid eyes on you. That probably sounds crazy, but I believe we’re meant to be together.”
It took a few moments to register his words. He loved me too? He thought we were meant for each other?
I opened my mouth to speak, but he kissed me again, stopping me from saying anything.